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"This is all so troublesome."
Despite the fact that her older brother was clearly annoyed, Kagome couldn't help but offer him a sheepish smile. "It could be worse."
Ever the overprotective father, Shikaku had been sure to let Shikamaru know at breakfast that he was to walk Kagome to where her team was scheduled to meet. No ditching her this time either, or there would be "severe consequences."
"Just in case things get out of hand," had been his reasoning with a pointed glare directed solely at his wayward son.
Shikamaru sighed. It wasn't like Kagome had gotten into any serious trouble the night before. From what he had gathered, the ever hyperactive Naruto had just overreacted and as a result, the entire situation seemed a lot worse than it actually was. Contrary to popular belief, Inuyasha and Kagome could talk out their problems when they really wanted to. He had seen it once before. Also, despite all the fights, they really were close friends. They just chose a unique way to show it.
Kagome suddenly patted his arm, grabbing his attention. "Shikamaru, you don't have to walk me all the way to the Hokage tower. You've done enough. I won't tell dad if you decide to leave now."
It was a tempting offer and for a second, he really had been ready to take it.
However...
"Forget it," was his answer. "Dad'll know. He always knows."
He felt his sister's eyes linger on his face for a bit, as if she were searching for something. After a couple of seconds, she looked away, her blue eyes warm and her lips slightly curved up in a sweet smile.
"Yeah, you're probably right," she said.
"No, I am right," Shikamaru retorted. But even he couldn't stop the slight twitch of his own lips, because their family was just... odd.
They arrived at the Hokage tower a few minutes later, and once they came to a stop at the bottom of the stairs, Shikamaru shoved one hand into an empty pocket and made sure to give his little sister a firm stare.
"Don't get yourself into any trouble," was his order, complete with his infamous scowl.
"I'll try," was her halfhearted response. With that promise, her older brother went on his way.
Kagome's smile dampened a bit as she watched his departing back. In all truth, she felt bad that Shikamaru was usually assigned as her bodyguard when clearly, he didn't like the job. How she wished that their father would lay off just a little...
Deciding to have a talk with him when she returned home, Kagome turned in the direction that both Sai and Inuyasha were approaching from.
'Here we go,' she thought.
"Hello, Kagome," Sai greeted once he was mere feet from her. He had learned long ago that calling his teammates by anything other than their given names was not a good idea. Not unless he wanted to be injured for two weeks at the least.
"Hey Sai," Kagome waved. She spared Inuyasha a cautious glance. "Hi Inuyasha."
His golden eyes met her blue ones. She could see some worry in them. "Keh."
Kagome smiled. He hadn't said much, but his response to her greeting had lifted a weight off of her shoulders: it let her know there was no tension or anything of the sort between them, and that everything was alright.
For now.
"And you wanna know what he said? He said he would blow Miroku's nuts off if he ever came near me again! And then he sent me to my room to 'think about my actions!' What's wrong with him? He acts as if I'm some little kid not capable of taking care of myself!"
Chouji, who was merely sitting in front of his friend and digging into a bag of chips, produced barely audible chuckles. But Ino wasn't done venting. "And it's all cause Kagome had to rat me out to her dad! That traitor! After all I did for her too! What's wrong with her? She's broken the most important rule ever between friends: don't snitch!"
"Are you kidding? You know how Shikaku is when it comes to Kagome: he probably nagged her until she got sick of him and told him everything," Chouji defended.
Ino wouldn't hear it. "That doesn't mean anything! Kagome should just keep her damn mouth—"
"You should probably know that Kagome didn't tell our dad. He overheard her telling me everything that happened this morning," Came Shikamaru's apathetic voice as the Nara chuunin finally joined the two members of team 10.
Fists clenched, Ino turned towards her lazy friend. "That's no excuse!"
Shikamaru sighed. "Come on, Ino. You're the one who meddled into the situation in the first place."
"No, Miroku came onto me!"
"Sure," Chouji mumbled, wishing his blond teammate would quiet down a little, "just like all the other ones did."
Ino bristled and took a step towards him. "What exactly is that supposed to mean?"
Fortunately, Chouji was saved from Ino's wrath when a familiar voice joined in the uptight conversation. "Well, it's great to see that you guys are getting along, as always."
Three pairs of eyes turned to find Asuma standing behind them, cigarette in his mouth, like usual.
"What's going on?" Their sensei questioned. He looked from Chouji, to Shikamaru, to Ino, expecting an answer.
He didn't get one.
"Okay," Asuma said as he scratched the back of his head, not really used to dealing with this sort of thing. But then again...
Something in his gut told him this was going to be an awkward day...
Waiting in Tsunade's office wasn't all that fun. Especially since two out of the four members of squad 11 weren't exactly in the best of moods.
"I hope none of you were expecting a 'fun' mission today. Because thanks to certain events," Renkotsu cast Kagome a snippy stare, prompting her to stare out a nearby window, "I have decided to sign us all up for a mission that I think none of you are going to like."
"What? Why?" Immediately protested Inuyasha, who was already irritated thanks to the bald man, who had showed up ten minutes late.
Renkotsu glared at him. "Because life isn't all fun and games, Inuyasha."
"Perhaps this has something to do with your lack of hair? I suspect that it is your insecurity speaking," Sai commented and once again, despite the tension, Kagome had to hold back her laughter.
Renkotsu grit his teeth. Not this again! "No!" He shouted, "but it does have something to do with," the bald man pointed at Sai, "your lack of emotion," then to Kagome, "your inability to control your emotions," then last but not least, Inuyasha, "and your attitude!" he snapped. These kids had no idea how crazy they drove him!
The three teenagers all shared a glance before they stared at their fuming sensei.
Sai opened his mouth once again. "I suspect old age contributes to his anger as well."
Inuyasha and Kagome nodded in agreement.
"Why you—!"
Footsteps suddenly echoed from out in the hall, and team 11 instantly quieted down (although steam continued to shoot out of Renkotsu's ears). The handle to the door wriggled for a bit before it turned sideways, signaling someone was coming in. The door slightly opened, and a head of spiky silver hair poked in. A dark eye shone in recognition and closed in a u formation as the infamous copy ninja lifted a hand in greeting.
"Pardon the intrusion," said Hatake Kakashi as the door swung open and in entered the famed squad seven.
End of Chapter.
